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National magazine honors Scott OSI financial manager

  • Published
  • By Wayne Amann
  • Air Force OSI Public Affairs
QUANTICO, Va. - --  It promised to be a memorable TDY for Rachel Quesada.

While on the road recently providing manning assistance and guidance to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations 7th Field Investigative Squadron Resource Manager, the Chief of Financial Management with the AFOSI, 3rd Field Investigative Region, Scott Air Force Base, was honored by a national magazine.

Latina Style chose Quesada as the Air Force civilian recipient of its Meritorious Service Award for 2015.

According to its website the 21-year-old magazine is the most influential publication reaching the contemporary Hispanic women. The award recognizes women in the military and the Department of Defense workforce who, through their service, have enhanced the role of Latinas in their organization and the DoD.

Quesada accepted the honor during the 12th Annual National Latina Symposium Awards Luncheon Sept. 9 in Washington, D.C.

"I was very surprised when I heard the news," Quesada said. "The nomination was an accomplishment itself, so I'm deeply honored to have been selected."

Her nomination package speaks volumes as to her selection.

It stated in part: Quesada, who is also a Reserve NCO assigned to the 932nd Reserve Wing at Scott, is responsible for managing AFOSI 3 FIR resource programs and funds, controlling an Operations and Maintenance budget in excess of $5 million enabling criminal, fraud and counterintelligence operations worldwide.

In the past year, her efforts resulted in approximately half of the region's subordinate units receiving funding for standard of living projects greatly improving morale and work efficiency.

Among her many notable achievements were her contributions toward diversity and inclusion. Quesada facilitated cross-cultural interactions between individuals while promoting higher education of Latino Americans.

The Hispanic Youth Career Fair, the longest running career fair in her home state of Wisconsin promoting higher education in the Latino community, recognized Quesada as a successful professional role model to young Latina girls and an outstanding career presenter. She presented a variety of career choices and educational options to nearly 2,000 Hispanic youth.

"I feel a sense of responsibility to the young women out there because I have the ability to be a positive example in their lives," Quesada said. "I'm proud to say many Latina role models exist today who represent the Air Force. Many of us Latina Airmen share a commonality to strive for betterment by providing encouragement, inspiring others and making a difference."

Lt. Col. David Clough, 3 FIR commander, summed up her overall impact on and off duty in his nomination letter.

"Ms. Quesada is an accomplished public servant who ... demonstrates her character through the leadership and mentorship for Hispanic youth and in direct community service. Serving with distinction among the best in the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, this Air Force civilian employee is most deserving of this award."